Composition

The number of MEPs for each country is roughly proportionate to its population, but this is by degressive proportionality: no country can have fewer than 6 or more than 96 MEPs and the total number cannot exceed 751 (750 plus the President). MEPs are grouped by political affiliation, not by nationality.

The President represents Parliament to other EU institutions and the outside world and gives the final go-ahead to the EU budget.

How does the Parliament work?

Parliament's work comprises two main stages:

Committees - to prepare legislation.The Parliament numbers 20 committees and two subcommittees, each handling a particular policy area. The committees examine proposals for legislation, and MEPs and political groups can put forward amendments or propose to reject a bill. These issues are also debated within the political groups.

Plenary sessions – to pass legislation.This is when all the MEPs gather in the chamber to give a final vote on the proposed legislation and the proposed amendments. Normally held in Strasbourg for four days a month, but sometimes there are additional sessions in Brussels.

The Parliament and you

If you want to ask the Parliament to act on a certain issue, you can petition it (either by post or online).

Petitions can cover any subject which comes under the EU's remit.

To submit a petition, you must be a citizen of an EU member state or be resident in the EU. Companies or other organisations must be based here.

The European Parliament is the heart of democracy in the European Union, representing 500 million people. Visiting the Brussels campus will explain how the European Parliament works and what it does for European Union citizens.

Type of visit: There are many activities at the European Parliament, such as individual and group visits, information sessions and a role play game for school groups.

All activities are free of charge and most are available in all official European Union languages.